One of the most frequently used parts of your body are your hands, so your fingers will often come into contact with hot surfaces like a hot burner or hot pan, blistering steam, or even an open flame.[1] But accidentally holding or touching these surfaces can lead to blisters and burns. Depending on the type of burn you have, 1st degree, 2nd degree, or 3rd degree, you may be able to treat your burn at home. But if you have a major burn, you will need to seek medical assistance.

Steps

Part 1

Identifying What Type of Burn You Have

1

Determine how you got the burn. There are several different ways you may have acquired the burn:[2]

A contact burn occurs if you have direct contact with a hot surface such as metal, hot tar, a stove or an iron.

A scald burn is caused by contact with steam or hot fluids and is the most common cause of burns.

A chemical burn is caused by contact with strong acids or alkali such as hydrochloric acid, disinfectants and lye.

An electrical burn is caused by contact with lightning or direct contact with an alternating current. Call the Emergency Services if your burn is due to chemicals and/or electricity, as other treatment beyond home care will be needed for these kind of burns.[3]

Burns can be generated from a defective space heater, a kitchen accident, playing with matches, the precarious use of firecrackers, house fires, and/or car accidents.

2

If you only burn the outer layer of skin on your finger, you have a first-degree burn. Your finger(s) could appear red, inflamed, or feel a little painful.[4]

First degree burns are considered minor burns, and can be treated at home.[5] However, you should call the Emergency Services if the burn is located on your neck and face, regardless of the type of burn, as this may affect your breathing.[6]

3

If you burn the outer layer and core layer of your finger, you have a second-degree burn. This is also known as a partial thickness burn, and will trigger redness, inflammation, pain and blistering.[7]

Second degree burns are considered minor burns if they measure less than 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) wide, and can be treated at home.[8]

Blisters will form as the result of a burn when the body sends fluid into the damaged area to fill the gap between the layers of the skin in order to protect it.[9]

4

If your skin looks white or blackened by the burn, you have a third-degree burn and should seek immediate medical treatment at a hospital. This is also known as a full thickness burn, the most serious level of burn, and involves the deep layers of the skin. Your skin, muscles, and even bones may be affected by a third-degree burn.[10]

Third-degree burns and second-degree burns that measure more than 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) wide or affect the buttocks, face, feet, groin, hands, and major joints are considered major burns. Do not treat these burns at home. Seek medical assistance at a hospital or from your doctor.[11]

5

Keep in mind it is possible to have more than one type of burn at the same time. You may have a second and a third degree burn in the affected area, so any severe forms of burns require immediate medical attention to prevent malformation, scarring, and disability of the burnt area.[12]

Part 2

Cleaning and Dressing Your Burn

1

Immediately remove your body from the source of heat to avoid any further injury. Your body will likely naturally pull away from the heat source to protect itself from further burns.[13]

2

Rinse your finger under cool, running water for at least five minutes. Cold water will make the blood vessels in your finger constrict to prevent and lessen the amount of fluid loss in the burnt area. It will also prevent tissue damage on the burn and lessen the pain.[14]

Do not soak your burnt finger in ice water as it may further aggravate the damage on your finger. Very cold temperatures will constrict the blood vessels and reduce blood flow and oxygen in your finger.[15]

You can keep your burnt finger under the water for longer than five minutes (15-20 minutes) or until the pain subsides.[16]

You can also soak your finger in clean basin filled with cold water to alleviate the pain and any swelling. Soak your finger in the basin for 15- 20 minutes or until the pain subside.[17]

3

Let the finger dry on its own, rather than pat it dry with a towel. The wound may stick on the towel, causing even more pain. So, air drying the blistered finger is the safest way to dry it.[18]

4

Check your finger to determine which type of burn you have. If you have a second-degree burn with a 3-inch diameter, you can treat it at home. Any burns that are larger and fall in the third-degree burn category must be treated at a hospital or by your doctor.[19]

5

Put on a sterile glove on your non burned hand and apply ointment to the burnt area. Applying a pea size amount of ointment like Vaseline will help your burn not to stick with the bandage.

Do not apply oils, butter, toothpaste or ointment to a burn blister. Application of these items can lead to infection, especially if the blister is broken open.[20]

If you have any silver sulfadiazine cream (Silvadene Cream), you can carefully apply just enough to cover the burn. Silver sulfadiazine is formulated to avoid infection and promote faster healing by killing and inhibiting the growth of bacteria present in the burned area. Apply it once to twice daily on the affected area. Side effects include fever, skin peeling, rashes, unusual bleeding and pinpoint spots on the skin.[21] If you don’t have access to silver sulfadiazine, you can skip this step.

6

If the blister on the burn has broken open, make a sterile dressing. Cut down a 2 inches (5.1 cm) wide and 4–5 inches (10.2–12.7 cm) long sterile dressing and wrap it around your finger. Make sure the dressing is not too tight, because if you put pressure on a burn with blisters, the blister will pop and this may lead to an infection. Apply two layers of sterile dressing.[22]

Touch only the outer edges of the sterile dressing and not the inner area as touching it can make it unsterile and can lead to infection on the burn.[23] Avoid using cotton or fluffy dressings as coverings as they may get stuck on the affected area.[24]

If the blister has not broken open, you do not need to apply a sterile dressing.[25]

7

Put micropore dressing tape or medical tape at the edges of the sterile dressing. Make sure you cover the entire edge of the sterile dressing. As well, make sure the medical tape doesn't touch the burned and blistered area because it may stick into the wound and result in further injury when pulled off.[26]

You can use a brand such as 3M micropore ½ inch.

8

If you have blisters and burns on multiple fingers, dress each digit individually. Doing this will prevent any friction from developing and any skin breakthrough.

Part 3

Recovering from Blisters and Burns

1

Take pain relievers and medication. Minor burns usually result in mild to moderate pain, so take over-the-counter pain relievers that contain acetaminophen like Paracetamol, Tylenol, Panadol, Ibuprofen or Aspirin. Pain-relievers work by inhibiting the production of the substance responsible for stimulating the pain receptors, called prostaglandins.[27]

The usual dose for adults is 500 mg tablet every 4 to 6 hours. Take these drugs with food to lessen the possibility of developing an upset stomach.[28]

For children 2 -11 years old, give them a dose of 10mg/kg of acetaminophen. For example: If the child weighs 15 kg, multiply this weight by 10 mg, so the dosage will be 150mg. Give this dosage every 4-6 hours as needed. If pain is not felt after giving them a dose, you can discontinue the medication. Continue with the medication if their pain persists.[29]

For children 12 years or older, give 325 mg every 2 to 6 hours as needed.[30]

Pregnant women are not advised to take acetaminophen; however studies shows that taking acetaminophen in the first trimester(first 3 months) doesn't have an effect on the unborn child.[31] But there is also a study that pregnant women taking acetaminophen during the second and third trimester(4-9 months) run the risk of congenital abnormalities in their unborn child.[32] Always consult a doctor about taking these drugs if you are pregnant.

2

Protect your burnt finger(s) from friction and pressure to help the burnt area heal. Putting friction and pressure on the burnt area may pop the blister and cause a disruption of the burnt skin, which will lead to an infection. Make sure you don’t bump your burnt hand or put it in contact with any objects or surfaces.[33]

3

Keep the dressing clean and dry. If the dressing gets wet or looks dirty, change it. This will prevent the growth of microorganisms that may cause infection.[34]

If the dressings get stuck to the burn or blister, you can soak the dressed finger(s) in clean water. This prevents further injury to the blistered finger as dressings that stick can pull other parts of the wound when removed.[35]

4

Check the burnt area for any signs that may lead to infection. This could be redness, heightened pain levels, or an oozing of pus and/or fever.[36] Report these signs immediately to your doctor as an infected burn must be checked and treated immediately to prevent major complications.

5

Never open or pop a blister on the burn. Though you may be tempted to pop a blister on the burnt area, it is very important not to do this as the tissue underneath the blister is very sensitive and vulnerable to infection. The blister serves as your natural infection barrier. Popping or draining it will only slow down the healing process.[37]

The fluid inside the blister will be gradually be absorbed by the body as it heals and will usually disappear in 1-2 weeks.[38]

If you pop a blister accidentally (or intentionally), the most important thing to do is to protect it from infection by properly dressing the wound. Monitor the popped blister for signs of infection like a drainage of pus over the burnt area, increased pain and fever. If you experience signs of infection, call your doctor. Your doctor might prescribe some antibiotics.

6

Get a tetanus shot, especially if your tetanus immunization is not up to date. If you’re overdue for your tetanus shot, your doctor can give you a tetanus shot to prevent infection.

The full course of tetanus vaccination consists of five doses. The first three doses are given at 2, 3 and 4 months of age. The fourth dose or booster dose is given at 4 years old, and the final dose is given between 13 and 18 years of age.[39] After the course of five injections, you will have a lifelong immunity to tetanus.

Tetanus bacteria can enter the body through an open wound (especially if the blister is broken or the burn breaks the skin) and are present in soil, dust and animal and human waste. When the tetanus bacteria are inside the body, they release a neurotoxin that disrupts the function of the nerves and leads to muscle stiffness and spasms.[40]

Adults who have never been immunized against tetanus will have to take the initial three shots. The first two shots are given in an interval of 4 weeks. The third shot is given 6 to 12 months after the second shot. Booster shots are recommended every 10 years after the first three shots.[41]

Community Q&A

It depends on how bad the burn is. If it is a first-degree burn, it may take a few days. Second-degree burns could take a week or two. If you have a third-degree burn, go to the hospital and seek medical attention.